Oct 31, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Richmond Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Richmond Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 311 to 321]
|
D. M. from Northern Virginia
(11/16/2004)
"Good course, nice size, great organization" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved this marathon. Around 4,000 runners well-organized into appropriate corrals. Because of the downtown start and finish, there were lots of hotels and commercial establishments available for warmth/bathroom use before the official start. The course had a good variety: downtown, then Monument Avenue, pretty residential areas, woods by the James River and then looped back through town. I'd call this course 'rolling,' but the rolls are neither steep nor long. The two hills I'd been warned about were short and easy. The toughest part of the course was the Lee Bridge crossing (comparable to 14th Street Bridge at MCM or maybe a bit longer), mostly because of Saturday's wind gusts. Luckily the bridge comes at mile 15 when you are still fresh. And the last few miles are mostly flat or downhill, which is great! Loved the junk food stations, great spectator support and even Coke and beer available near the end. I like medium-sized races and I LOVED Richmond. | |
|
R. B. from Barrington, RI, USA
(11/16/2004)
"Beautiful course, sweet locals, mildly challenging" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Geez, what a great job you folks have done. I lived in Richmond for many years and returned for the race. Imagine my surprise when I was graciously routed through the most beautiful parts of town while encountering moderately challenging terrain. It's a tricky race. The first 6 miles are dead flat, and the hill down Cary is exhilarating. But the soft rolling hills of Forest Hill and Semmes can insidiously work you over if you've been foolish enough to bust through the beginning of the race. The organizers knew precisely what to do in every regard?they're on top of every detail. The race is everything it should be: strategically mapped, well-publicized, well-staffed and (finally) scenic. Congratulations, it deserves to be a world class event and I hope you draw the attention you deserve for your stellar efforts. Rob | |
|
J. B. from Washington, D.C.
(11/16/2004)
"My review - fabby." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Richmond was my 26th marathon and I choose my races very carefully. I thought it was well-organized all around and have no complaints. It certainly deserves its good reputation. The only suggestion I have is that a few of water stops could have been better manned, but other than that, everything was perfect. Community support was terrific, better than some big city marathons I've done. Yes, there were some rolling hills, but I thought the course was quite fast. I managed my second fastest time despite the horrible wind. I'm Boston bound again, so I'm pleased. I enjoyed the free course tour (that was definitely a perk) the day before, despite not being able to see much due to the driving rain. Our tour guide was great! I wish I could remember his name. Someone please say 'thank you' to the guy who gave the 3:00 p.m. tour. I got a chuckle from reading the previous complaint about getting only one slice of pizza at the finish. Honestly, how many marathons give out steaming hot pizza at the end? How fun! Although I didn't take any (there was plently of the regular food as well), it looked like people were getting more than one slice. Some even had boxes. | |
|
Tim Chesko from Lockport, NY
(11/15/2004)
"Best race I've run!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 7th marathon this year and it ranks as #1 with me. The organization and support were terrific! The course was laid out just right. The rolling hills are small enough to allow your legs to stay strong throughout the race. The City of Richmond is very hospitable and clean. There are lots of things to do, including great restaurants (Tobacco Company Restaurant was our favorite) and the Children?s Museum was a big hit with our kids. If you?re looking for a first marathon with a lot of crowd support or you?re pushing for a new PR, you won?t be disappointed! Go for it! | |
|
S. C. from Richmond, VA
(11/15/2004)
"Great Small Marathon" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is growing like crazy, over 3,200 finishers this year. Weather was perfect except for the 20 mph headwind in miles 16 and 19. This is a great course with great fans, great organization. The post-race food is a few blocks from the finish but it keeps you moving. Can't wait for next year. | |
|
J. A. from North Carolina
(11/15/2004)
"Great overall marathon - highly recommend it" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very good marathon with a slightly rolling, but not tough, course. We had a rough headwind this year, but that can't be controlled. Crowd support was good in the populated areas. The size (4000+) is perfect, enough company but not too big. A fast finish and definitely a PR/Boston qualifier course. | |
|
N. T. from Washington, DC
(11/15/2004)
"Good medium-sized event" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall a good race. The course has lots of interesting sights and some beautiful river vistas. I'd have liked a little better traffic control (lots of uncontrolled streets, though the course was well-marked) and more consistently distributed course support (large congregations of spectators, then 2-mile stretches with few people). I also couldn't find any food whatsoever after the race without a long (painful) walk in search of it. Be sure that you can finish the course within the time limit of six hours or you may find support is scarce. | |
|
J. B. from Stoughton, MA
(11/15/2004)
"Excellent course, well organized and great crowds." (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and my personal best. Overall the course was flat with some inclines at miles 3-5 and 15-18... no problems with organization and there was a big turnout along the route. The course scenery was terrific... esp. along the James River between miles 8-11; the Robert E. Lee Bridge was tough with the 20 mph headwind, but afterwards it was back into the heart of Richmond. I had a great time and would definitely do it again | |
|
J. M. from connecticut
(11/15/2004)
"Very good mid-size marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very fair course - hills were not difficult. Toughest part of the course was the bridge at mile 15/16 where the 25 mph wind was blowing directly at you. Nice touches were the 2 gel stations, the 2 wash cloth stations, the candy station and the Coca Cola/beer station. Temperature was perfect (mid-40s), but the winds were tough. A lot of spectator support along the course. The marathon reminded me a lot of the Vermont Marathon - a top-notch mid-size one. If you're going to do this one, book your hotel room early. The hotels around the start/finish sell out quickly. | |
|
Tom Falco from Bristow, VA
(11/15/2004)
"Great first experience" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a great first experience for a beginning marathoner. The fans were great and were a real support. The race day staff was superb and the support along the race (water, Powerade, etc.) was outstanding. A few hills but nothing too major... just the wind which was gusting to over 30 mph. This was a great, scenic marathon... perfect for the beginner like myself. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
